Tyler Henry

Last updated

Tyler Henry
Born1996 (age 27–28)
Hanford, California, U.S.
Occupations
Years active2015–present
TelevisionHollywood Medium with Tyler Henry, Life After Death with Tyler Henry
Website Official website

Tyler Henry Koelewyn [1] (born 1996 [2] ) is an American reality show personality who appears in the reality show series Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry and Life After Death with Tyler Henry as a clairvoyant medium [3] since 2016. [4] He has published two books.

Contents

Critics state that Henry's readings are performed using deceptive cold reading and hot reading techniques, and not "psychic" powers.

Personal life

Henry is a native of Hanford, California, a small rural city near Fresno. [5] He graduated from Hanford's Sierra Pacific High School and didn't complete college. [5] Henry is openly gay. [6]

Career

According to Henry, he noticed that he had clairvoyant abilities when he was ten years old. [7]

In November 2015, Henry appeared on Keeping Up with the Kardashians where he gave a reading to one of the Kardashian sisters. [8]

In January 2016, Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry premiered on E!. In March 2016, it was announced that E! had ordered a second season of the show. [9] Henry published a memoir titled Between Two Worlds: Lessons from the Other Side the same year. [10] [11] In 2022, he published a second book, Here & Hereafter: How Wisdom from the Departed Can Transform Your Life Now. [12] [13]

A 2018 People article detailed Henry's claims about his abilities, the development of his "powers", and his reading with La Toya Jackson set to air in the new season of Hollywood Medium, in which he claimed to contact Michael Jackson. [14]

Hollywood Medium ended after four seasons in 2019. His next series, Life After Death with Tyler Henry, premiered on March 11, 2022, on Netflix. [15]

Henry has given readings to many celebrities, such as Nancy Grace, [16] Alan Thicke, [17] retired NBA player John Salley [18] and actors Monica Potter, Soleil Moon Frye, Amber Rose, [19] Jaleel White, [20] the Kardashians, Corey Feldman, Carmen Electra, Matt Lauer, Chad Michael Murray, Rick Fox, Megan Fox, Chrissy Metz, Kristin Cavallari, Bobby Brown, Roselyn Sanchez, The Try Guys, and Tom Arnold. [21]

Death of Alan Thicke

On December 13, 2016, actor Alan Thicke died due to aortic dissection at the age of 69. [22] Several months before his death, Thicke was the subject of a reading done for the Hollywood Medium TV show. Among the many topics discussed by Henry, the concern of possible heart and blood pressure problems was addressed, with Henry suggesting that Thicke had a heart and blood pressure problem like "multiple men" in Thicke's family. [23] After Thicke died, this part of his reading was referenced by Henry's fans as evidence that Henry had actually predicted Thicke's death. [23] Various news outlets reported on this. [24] [25] [17] [26] Scientific skepticism activist Susan Gerbic challenged the claim that this was a successful psychic prediction, arguing that "Henry was again playing the odds" given that heart disease is the "number one cause of death for American males". [23]

Critical analysis

Scientific skeptics agree that mediumship is a con and that Henry is no exception. [27] [28] [29] Skeptical activists and others concerned with Henry's rise in popularity have actively attempted to counter the public perception that what Henry claims to do reflects reality. In particular, they have argued that Henry relies on a mix of cold reading techniques and prior knowledge of his subjects, or hot reading, to make his claims. [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] Specific examples where it is alleged that he used these techniques include sessions with Ronda Rousey, [36] Carole Radziwill, [37] [38] Matt Lauer, [39] [40] and Nancy Grace. [16]

Critics have argued that Henry's actions are exploitative, [8] and he has been dismissed as one of many mediums who lack training in counseling, resulting in a "tremendous" risk of harm. [41] Henry reportedly welcomes skepticism about his work: "I am content with people asking questions", he stated in 2016. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Randi</span> Canadian-American magician and skeptic (1928–2020)

James Randi was a Canadian-American stage magician, author and scientific skeptic who extensively challenged paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. He was the co-founder of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), and founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). Randi began his career as a magician under the stage name The Amazing Randi and later chose to devote most of his time to investigating paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims. Randi retired from practicing magic at age 60, and from his foundation at 87.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychic</span> Person claiming extrasensory perception abilities

A psychic is a person who claims to use powers rooted in parapsychology such as extrasensory perception (ESP) to identify information hidden from the normal senses, particularly involving telepathy or clairvoyance, or who performs acts that are apparently inexplicable by natural laws, such as psychokinesis or teleportation. Although many people believe in psychic abilities, the scientific consensus is that there is no proof of the existence of such powers, and describes the practice as pseudoscience. The word "psychic" is also used as an adjective to describe such abilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Committee for Skeptical Inquiry</span> Organization examining paranormal claims

The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), formerly known as the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), is a program within the U.S. non-profit organization Center for Inquiry (CFI), which seeks to "promote scientific inquiry, critical investigation, and the use of reason in examining controversial and extraordinary claims." Paul Kurtz proposed the establishment of CSICOP in 1976 as an independent non-profit organization, to counter what he regarded as an uncritical acceptance of, and support for, paranormal claims by both the media and society in general. Its philosophical position is one of scientific skepticism. CSI's fellows have included notable scientists, Nobel laureates, philosophers, psychologists, educators, and authors. It is headquartered in Amherst, New York.

Cold reading is a set of techniques used by mentalists, psychics, fortune-tellers, and mediums. Without prior knowledge, a practiced cold-reader can quickly obtain a great deal of information by analyzing the person's body language, age, clothing or fashion, hairstyle, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, level of education, manner of speech, place of origin, etc. during a line of questioning. Cold readings commonly employ high-probability guesses, quickly picking up on signals as to whether their guesses are in the right direction or not, then emphasizing and reinforcing chance connections and quickly moving on from missed guesses. Psychologists believe that this appears to work because of the Barnum effect and due to confirmation biases within people.

Skeptical Inquirer is a bimonthly American general-audience magazine published by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) with the subtitle: The Magazine for Science and Reason.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scientific skepticism</span> Questioning of claims lacking empirical evidence

Scientific skepticism or rational skepticism, sometimes referred to as skeptical inquiry, is a position in which one questions the veracity of claims lacking empirical evidence. In practice, the term most commonly refers to the examination of claims and theories that appear to be beyond mainstream science, rather than the routine discussions and challenges among scientists. Scientific skepticism differs from philosophical skepticism, which questions humans' ability to claim any knowledge about the nature of the world and how they perceive it, and the similar but distinct methodological skepticism, which is a systematic process of being skeptical about the truth of one's beliefs.

Hot reading is a technique used when giving a psychic reading in stage magic performances, or in other contexts. In hot reading, the reader uses information about the person receiving the reading which the receiver is not aware that the reader already knows. Hot reading is commonly used in conjunction with cold reading and can explain how a psychic reader can get a specific claimed "hit" of accurate information.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Hyman</span> American professor of psychology (born 1928)

Ray Hyman is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, and a noted critic of parapsychology. Hyman, along with James Randi, Martin Gardner and Paul Kurtz, is one of the founders of the modern skeptical movement. He is the founder and leader of the Skeptic's Toolbox. Hyman serves on the Executive Council for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

A debunker is a person or organization that exposes or discredits claims believed to be false, exaggerated, or pretentious. The term is often associated with skeptical investigation of controversial topics such as UFOs, claimed paranormal phenomena, cryptids, conspiracy theories, alternative medicine, religion, or exploratory or fringe areas of scientific or pseudoscientific research.

Lisa Michelle Williams is British and claims to be psychic and a medium, she is also an author, known for her appearances on television in the U.K. and the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NZ Skeptics</span> Organization to promote critical thinking

NZ Skeptics is a New Zealand incorporated society created in 1986, with the aim of promoting critical thinking. The main areas of interest to the NZ Skeptics are claims of psychic abilities, alternative medicine, creationism and other pseudoscientific claims. At its founding in 1986, it was known as the New Zealand Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (NZCSICOP). In 2007 the name was formally changed to NZ Skeptics Incorporated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massimo Polidoro</span> Italian psychologist and writer (born 1969)

Massimo Polidoro is an Italian psychologist, writer, journalist, television personality, and co-founder and executive director of the Italian Committee for the Investigation of Claims of the Pseudosciences (CICAP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Edward</span> American mentalist, magician, author and skeptic (born 1951)

Mark Edward is an American mentalist and author. He has written books on mentalism, séance theory and production, including Psychic Blues published in 2009, where he discusses working for the Psychic Friends Network. Wilson has appeared on television as both primary consultant and on-air performer in such diverse programming as ABC's "The Con", A & E's Biography: "Houdini, the Great Escape", NBC's "The Other Side" and "Psychic Secrets Revealed", The Sci-Fi Channel's "Mysteries, Magic and Miracles", The Discovery Channel's "Forces Beyond", and on two episodes of The Learning Channel's "Exploring the Unknown". His featured segment as a spirit medium on the pilot episode of Showtime's "Penn & Teller's Bullshit!" series entitled "Speaking with the Dead" helped secure an Emmy Award nomination for that episode in 2002. He is a fellow with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

<i>Long Island Medium</i> American television series (2011–2019)

Long Island Medium is an American reality television series starring Theresa Caputo, a self-professed medium who claims she can communicate with the dead. Much of the program, which premiered on September 25, 2011, takes place in Hicksville, New York, though it often follows Caputo as she meets with clients in other areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Gerbic</span> American skepticism activist (born 1962)

Susan Gerbic is an American studio photographer who became known as a scientific skepticism activist, mostly for exposing people claiming to be mediums. A columnist for Skeptical Inquirer, she is the co-founder of Monterey County Skeptics and a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CSICon</span> Annual skeptic conference in the United States

CSICon or CSIConference is an annual skeptical conference typically held in the United States. CSICon is hosted by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), which is a program of the Center for Inquiry (CFI). CSI publishes the magazine Skeptical Inquirer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas John (medium)</span> American psychic medium

Thomas John Flanagan, known professionally as Thomas John, is an American psychic medium. He starred in the 2018 reality TV show, Seatbelt Psychic, and the CBS All Access series The Thomas John Experience beginning in June 2020. In January 2020, John began a live show at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, which was put on hiatus as of March 16, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Fraser (psychic)</span> Purported psychic medium

Matthew L. Fraser, also known as Matt Fraser, is an American psychic medium, published author, and television personality. He is best known for his central role in the reality TV show Meet the Frasers. He has three written books including the We Never Die: Secrets of the Afterlife.

Seatbelt Psychic is a 2018 television series broadcast on the Lifetime TV network, starring psychic medium Thomas John who gives guests spiritual readings during a car ride.

References

  1. ↑ Farber, Lindsay (May 24, 2017). "30 Things You Should Know About Tyler Henry". BuzzFeed. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  2. ↑ Life After Death with Tyler Henry, episode 4, 2022
  3. ↑ Rees, Alex (January 22, 2016). "This Celebrity Medium Once Channeled Brittany Murphy's Spirit During a Reading, No Really". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  4. ↑ Petski, Denise (July 29, 2015). "Teen Clairvoyant Delivers Messages From Beyond In E!'s 'Hollywood Teen Medium'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Bentley, Rick (January 16, 2016). "Hanford's Tyler Henry shares gift on new E! TV series 'Hollywood Medium'". Fresno Bee. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  6. ↑ "TV star Tyler Henry opens up about coming out as gay and 'Hollywood Medium'". The Desert Sun. May 10, 2018. Archived from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  7. ↑ "This Celebrity Medium Once Channeled Brittany Murphy's Spirit During a Reading, No Really". January 22, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  8. 1 2 Delbyck, Cole (January 25, 2016). "We're Not So Convinced This Guy Is Channeling The Spirit Of Brittany Murphy". HuffPost. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  9. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (March 7, 2016). "E! Renews 'Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry' for Season 2". Variety. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  10. ↑ Zavala, Julissa (February 14, 2017). "Tyler Henry stays between two worlds".
  11. ↑ "Matt Lauer's emotional sit-down with Tyler Henry: 'My hands were shaking'". today.com. August 2, 2016.
  12. ↑ Grossman, Cathy Lynn (July 28, 2021). "Books to Heal, Energize, and Enchant: Mind, Body, Spirit Books 2021". Publishers Weekly . Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  13. ↑ "'Hollywood Medium' Tyler Henry Talks About Growing Up, Skeptics And Memoir 'Here And Here After'". Greeley Tribune . March 25, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  14. ↑ Corinthios, Aurelie (February 28, 2018). "Why Hollywood Medium's Tyler Henry Says Connecting with Michael Jackson Was 'Really Humbling'". People. Archived from the original on March 4, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  15. ↑ White, Peter (February 11, 2022). "Hollywood Medium Tyler Henry Lands Netflix Reality Series". Deadline Hollywood .
  16. 1 2 Gerbic, Susan (April 20, 2018). "Nancy Grace Should be Ashamed of Herself!". CSICOP.org. CFI. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  17. 1 2 Cohen, Jess (June 2017). "Tyler Henry Urges Alan Thicke to 'See a Doctor' on Emotional Hollywood Medium Episode Filmed 3 Months Before His Death". E!. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry Recap: NeNe Leakes, Bella Thorne and 5 OMG Moments From the Series Premiere on Hollywood Medium". E!. January 25, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Amber Rose Has a New Man in Her Life! Find Out Who!". Us Weekly. March 8, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Hollywood Medium's Tyler Henry Has No Idea Who Jaleel White Is". August 7, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Tyler Henry's Most OMG Moments on Hollywood Medium on Hollywood Medium". E! News. February 15, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  22. ↑ Dugan, Christina (December 21, 2016). "Alan Thicke's Cause of Death Has Been Confirmed". People . Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  23. 1 2 3 Gerbic, Susan (September 15, 2017). "The One Where "Psychic" Tyler Henry Reads Alan Thicke". CSICOP.org. Center For Inquiry. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  24. ↑ Lisa Respers France (June 2017). "Tyler Henry warned Alan Thicke about his heart". CNN. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  25. ↑ Bernardini, Gabrielle (May 30, 2017). "Tanya Thicke: Alan Thicke 'Had the Cleanest Bill of Health' Two Months Before Dying". Us Magazine. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  26. ↑ Lippe, Jeryl (June 2, 2017). "Tyler Henry Eerily Predicts Alan Thicke's Death on 'Hollywood Medium'". lifeandstylemag.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  27. ↑ Radford, Benjamin (October 20, 2010). "Here to Hereafter: Can Psychics Really Talk to the Dead?". Livescience.com. Live Science. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  28. ↑ Propatier, Stephen. "Susan Gerbic: Vampire Slayer". Skeptoid. Skeptoid Media. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  29. ↑ Swiss, Jamy Ian. "Jamy Ian Swiss - In Pursuit of Psychics: For Good Reason". James Randi Foundation. Retrieved September 9, 2017– via YouTube.
  30. ↑ Gerbic, Susan (March 23, 2018). "Ten Tricks of the Psychics I Bet You Didn't Know". CSI. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  31. ↑ Gerbic, Susan (April 14, 2016). "Tip the Canoe of Tyler Too! - CSI". csicop.org. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  32. ↑ Hill, Sharon. "Real-deal "boy next door" medium? Or Hollywood hype?". Doubtful News. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  33. ↑ Gerbic, Susan (July 3, 2017). "Eventually I'm going to piss off Tyler Henry". csicop.org. Center For Inquiry. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  34. ↑ "The Hollywood Medium has a secret". The Outline. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  35. ↑ Mehta, Hemant. "Hollywood "Medium" Tyler Henry, Whose Show Premieres Sunday, Wants to Specialize in Suicide Victims". Friendly Atheist. Patheos. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  36. ↑ Fowlkes, Ben (April 10, 2018). "Ronda Rousey discusses father's suicide on show called 'Hollywood Medium,' and we have questions".
  37. ↑ Finger, Bobby (August 25, 2016). "Hollywood Medium Cemented Its Status As the Worst Show on Television Last Night". Jezebel. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  38. ↑ Gerbic, Susan (September 20, 2016). "Return of the Grief Vampire Tyler Henry". Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Center For Inquiry. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  39. ↑ Horton, Adrian (February 25, 2019). "John Oliver on psychics: 'A vast underworld of unscrupulous vultures'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Psychics: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)". LastWeekTonight. Retrieved February 25, 2019– via YouTube.
  41. ↑ Novella, Steven (January 21, 2016). "Grief Vampires". Neurologica. NESS. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.